View full sizeThomas Boyd/The Oregonian Oregon Ducks defensive end Dion Jordan (96), chases down a Cal runner against the University of California Berkeley at Autzen Stadium, in Eugene, Ore., Thu., Oct. 6, 2011.

A position-by-position preview of what to expect when the Oregon Ducks open spring practice April 3.

Today: Defensive line

Plot
lines: Oregon's rotation along the defensive line keeps the players
fresh and rapidly develops depth. So the Ducks shouldn't have much
trouble replacing Terrell Turner and Brandon Hanna.

Leading men:
Defensive end Dion Jordan (7 1/2 sacks last season) and defensive
tackles Taylor Hart (44 tackles) and Wade Keliikipi (25 tackles) lead a
host of returners that saw extensive playing time in 2011.

Open
auditions: Freshman Arik Armstead, UO's top defensive line recruit since
Haloti Ngata, will get a head start on his college career by being on
campus early and participating in spring drills.

The script:
Maybe no position on Oregon's roster is as easily replenished as the
defensive line. UO rotates its front seven to remain fresh because of
all the time the defense spends on the field thanks to the team's
no-huddle offense. Rotations lead to experienced backups prepared to
step in as starters. But in this case, Oregon isn't in need of wholesale
changes. The Ducks return three primary starters, Jordan, Hart and
Keliikipi. Tony Washington saw extensive minutes last season and is the
front-runner to start opposite Jordan. But he will be challenged. The
primary threat could be Armstead, who at 6-8, 290 pounds would make the
perfect strong-side defensive end opposite the more agile Jordan on the
weakside. Defensive tackle is loaded with the return of Isaac Remington
and Ricky Heimuli.